On July 6, 2011 the Institution of Fire Engineers-USA Branch announced an award of a $949,000 grant by the Department of Homeland Security Fire Prevention and Safety Grant Program to continue the work of the landmark Vision 20/20 project (www.strategicfire.org). Vision 20/20 has played a central role since its inception in 2007 in bringing together the Nation’s fire safety organizations to develop common strategies for reducing the loss of life and injury from fire.

There are five strategies that have been collaboratively developed, including:

Increase advocacy for fire prevention

Conduct a national safety education/social marketing campaign

Raise the importance of fire prevention within the fire service

Promote technology to enhance fire and life safety

Refine and improve the application of codes and standards that enhance public and fire fighter safety and preserve community assets

This grant will expand the Community Risk Reduction concepts in five communities, including Alexandria (VA), Cleveland (OH), Palm Beach County (FL), Rosemount (MN) and Washington (DC) to build on the recommendations from previous grass-roots efforts in various U.S. cities and in the United Kingdom.

The Alexandria Fire Department will receive a portion of this grant award in the amount of $124,118 to continue the Department’s commitment to fire prevention and fire safety. The Department will provide and install smoke/carbon monoxide alarms to Alexandria residents and will educate residents on the importance of maintaining such alarms. In addition, funds from this grant award will go towards the purchase and distribution of outreach materials which are designed to increase the community’s awareness of the advantages of early detection of smoke, fire and carbon monoxide. The Department plans to purchase smoke / carbon monoxide alarms as well as smoke alarms for the hard of hearing. Such alarms will be made available to residents of the City of Alexandria at no charge.